Spotlight

22

Ring ... ring

Tanner looks down at his phone while sipping away on his drink and waiting for Sarah to finish up with her wardrobe fitting.

"Hey there, handsome."

Tanner smiles, as the voice speaks on the other end of the call.

"I know, me too; how about we do it again some time, soon."

Tanner can't help but smile and giggle. "I know that's not the reason you're calling; so, what do you have for me?" Tanner looks around and not seeing anyone, puts the phone on speaker.

"I'm been doing a bit more digging into the personals and financials of your label execs; have to say they're all living way beyond their means, which isn't unexpected."

"There has to be more dirt than just that for Dave to hold them by the balls."

"I never said that I was done or that was all, I had for you. So far, I've been able to determine that at least two of the board members are engaged in extra marital affairs, one has a whole nother family on the side and the CFO is more than likely skimming funds and transferring them into an off shore account. I haven't been able to gain full access to his financials, but I have a friend who's a forensic accountant looking into it for me and should have more actionable intel for you soon."

"Amazing! I knew I could count on you."

"You and I both know, that you can do more than just count on me and with me."

Tanner chuckles. "I always get distracted counting your abs though and have to start over or under."

Laughing sounds out over the speaker. "I have a consult to get to; have dinner with me when you get back and I'll hopefully be able to fill in some blanks for you by then."

"I'll think about it, but doesn't that technically cross the business/pleasure line that you're always adamant about not crossing?"

"Technically, speaking I've been billing my hours to A. Dahlkemper not you, so you're' not a client, just an interested party."

"Smooth." Tanner chuckles. "Like a page out of my playbook."

"Message me when you get back or call me, if you're lonely at night."

Tanner smiles. "I will. Bye." He taps the button to hang up the call and leans back in his chair as Sarah enters the room.

"I'm all done and you're glowing ... did I miss something? Is there a new season of Project Runway?"

Tanner shakes his head. "It doesn't come out for another few weeks and you know I'mma be all over it!"

Sarah chuckles. "Should I be assuming you're going to want to use my setup to watch?"

"Is that even a question, worth asking?"

Sarah rolls her eyes and laughs. "Can you check these outfits for me? You've a much better eye than the label's wardrobe team."

Tanner stands up, collects his phone and tosses his empty water bottle in the recycle bin before following Sarah to the wardrobe area.

"Have you heard from Abby yet?"

Sarah smiles and nods. "She landed a little while ago and was just waiting on her luggage when she messaged. Sounds like she had ears and eyes on the flight and couldn't talk or message freely, so she said she'd reach out later."

Tanner nods. "Is she still planning on coming clean to her girls?"

"She is. I know that she's going to need someone to support her after the emotional crash of telling them and that's the biggest reason why I need to get the hell out of Cali, so I can be there to hold her."